Got tickets to see him with Bela & Jean-Luc on June 30 @ the Montreal Jazz Festival! Of the three, the only one I haven't seen/heard perform live previously is Bela Fleck. But we'll soon take care of that little oversight...

The one previous time I've heard Stanley in concert was at a Return To Forever gig in fall of 1974. Simply incredible chops - all the way 'round. Those cats could play anything...

I saw Stan the man play live at Ronnie Scott's in London several months back. Of course, it was with Armand Sabal-Lecco on bass, Stanley on lead bass, and a keyboard man and a drummer, so a very different line-up to the one you're going to see.

The performances were absolutely awesome (especially Stanley's solo spot on the upright bass), but I have to say . . . it was LOUD! I know Stanley favours a trebly tone, but the highs coming out of his Alembic and rig were actually quite painfully piercing by the end of the night. Maybe he's used to bigger venues than Ronnie's?

That said, it was still one of the best gigs I've been to - from the first few notes Stan played, you knew you were in the presence of greatness . . .

I saw him a couple years ago in Houston with "SuperBand". It was him, with Jeff Lorber on keys, Lenny White on drums, and Larry Carlton on guitar. It was at the Arena Theater, which is an "In the Round" venue with motorized stage. I got to go backstage afterwards, and talked to Stanley and Lenny for a while, Stanley has big hands. Kinda like shaking hands with a bunch of bananas. His fingers could have easily gone one and a half times around mine...he's a really nice guy, and shared a couple of tips with me. I spent the most time with Lorber, as I used to live in California, and we have many mutual friends.